Transcript Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

Unit 1- The Renaissance and
Reformation (1300-1600)
 During
the Dark Ages, Europe suffered from
war and the bubonic plague.
 People grew tired of suffering and wanted to
celebrate life.
 People began to question their governments
and the Roman Catholic Church who couldn’t
end people’s suffering.
 The new movement –The Renaissance – saw
writers and artists express this new spirit of
celebration and it would change how
Europeans saw themselves and the world.
 Renaissance
means
“rebirth.”
 It began in Northern
Italy and spread to
the rest of Europe.
 It was a period of
revival for learning
and the arts that
people hoped would
revive the culture of
classical Greece and
Rome.
1.
2.
3.
Large City-States that thrived on trade.
1300’s plague killed 60% & survivors demanded
higher wages.
A Wealthy Merchant class developed in
Florence and Milan. Cosimo de Medici gained
control of Florence’s government in 1434. His
son Lorenzo the Magnificent came to power in
1469. They invested heavily in the arts and
opened a library.
The Legacy of Greece and Rome was seen as
superior to the art and learning of the dark
ages. Scholars were surrounded by ruins from
the Roman empire and they studied Latin and
Greek manuscripts.
1. Renaissance means __________.
a. Education b. Rebirth c. Awakening
2. What factor led to the growth of large city-states in
Northern Italy?
a. The bubonic plague b. The popularity of art
c. Overseas trade
3. Florence’s _________ family was the wealthiest in
Europe and did much to advance art and learning in
Northern Italy.
a. Corleone b. Castiglione c. de Medici
4. The ancient civilizations of _________ and
_________ were an inspiration for the Renaissance.
a. Greece and Rome b. Egypt and Nubia
c. Babylon and Mesopotamia
 The
study of Greek and Roman literature led
to humanism – the focus on the potential of
human beings and their achievements.
 They sought to revive classical education
such as history, literature, and philosophy –
the humanities.
 Humanism also taught that one could enjoy
life on Earth without offending God.
 Most people remained devout Roman
Catholics, but the basic spirit of society
became more secular – worldly more than
spiritual.
 Church
leaders during
the Renaissance
beautified Rome and
other cities by spending
large sums of money on
artwork.
 Patrons of the arts
financially supported
artists. The wealthy
merchant and banking
class were also great
patrons of the arts.
Cosimo de Medici
Renaissance writers put forth
the notion that all educated
people were to create art.
 The Renaissance Man, as
described in Baldassare
Castiglione’s book, The
Courtier (1528) taught that a
man should be charming, witty,
well-educated in the classics,
and should dance, sing, play
music, write poetry, and be a
skilled horseman, wrestler, and
swordsman.

The Courtier also said that
upper class women should
also know the classics and be
charming.
 However, they were expected
to inspire art, but not really
create it.
 Most Renaissance Women had
little influence in politics
though there were a few
exceptions.
 Renaissance women were
better educated that
medieval women.

1. A movement that focused on human potential
and achievement?
a. Individualism b. Humanism c. Imperialism
2. Renaissance society became more _______ worldly rather than spiritual.
a. Secular b. Open c. Rigid
3. People who support the arts financially are said
to be ________.
a. Wealthy b. Generous c. Patrons
4. Baldassare Castiglione described the
Renaissance Man and Woman in his 1528 book
entitled ___________.
a. Decameron b. The Prince c. The Courtier